Abnormal blood test result: what happens at a GP review?

An abnormal blood test result means one or more values fell outside the laboratory's stated reference range, which flags something for a doctor to interpret, not a diagnosis on its own. At Medical Express Clinic, a private GP consultation reviews the result alongside your history and examination to decide what, if anything, happens next.

What does "abnormal" actually mean on a blood test report?

It means a result fell outside the reference range printed next to it on your report, which is a statistical band, not a line between healthy and unhealthy. Your report shows the laboratory's reference range next to each result, and that range can vary between laboratories, and by your age, sex and, for some tests, the time of day or cycle stage the sample was taken. A single flagged value is common and does not by itself confirm a health problem.

Why can't I just read the result myself?

Because a laboratory value on its own doesn't tell you what caused it, whether it matters clinically, or what, if anything, should happen next; that interpretation is what a GP review adds. Recent illness, medicines, supplements, hydration and, for some tests, what you last ate can all shift a result temporarily. A GP places the number alongside your symptoms, history and examination findings before deciding whether it needs action, monitoring, repeat testing or specialist referral.

What happens during a GP review of an abnormal result?

Your GP goes through each flagged result, explains what it measures and why it may have come back outside range, and puts it in the context of your overall health rather than treating it in isolation. At Medical Express Clinic this is a standard private GP consultation, priced at £150, in person, with no fixed time limit, so there is time to go through more than one result properly if needed. A prescription or referral letter issued during that visit carries no separate clinic fee; medicines from the pharmacy and any further tests are charged separately, and the clinic explains any extra charge before it goes ahead.

What a GP review typically covers.

Is a flagged cholesterol result common?

Yes, more common than many patients expect. In a recent snapshot of Medical Express Clinic health MOT results completed between April and August 2026, 47% of screenings that included cholesterol markers had at least one high cholesterol-related finding. This is a clinic figure describing what the clinic sees, not a national statistic, and a high cholesterol-related result on its own is not a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease; results outside the reference range can be temporary, need no treatment, or be affected by medicines and supplements. It's a useful reminder that a flagged result is a starting point for a conversation, not an alarm.

What if the result is genuinely urgent?

If a doctor or laboratory has told you a result needs urgent attention, follow that advice the same day rather than waiting for a routine review. If you're waiting on a result and develop new or worsening symptoms in the meantime, don't wait for your booked review: for severe chest pain, breathlessness, sudden weakness or a suspected serious reaction, call 999 or go to A&E; for anything less severe but concerning, NHS 111 can advise, or book a same-day GP consultation.

Do I need a full new blood test, or just a discussion?

That depends on what the original result was and how long ago it was taken; your GP decides during the review whether the existing result is enough to discuss or whether a repeat or additional test is the more useful next step. Some values are worth repeating on their own to confirm a genuine trend before acting; others are clear enough, alongside your history, to discuss and act on straight away. If cholesterol or broader heart-risk markers are the concern, your GP may also suggest a cardiology consultation with Prof Darrel Francis, Consultant Cardiologist (£250), if a more detailed heart risk review is warranted.

Where did my original blood test come from, and does that matter for the review?

It can, a little: a GP review works whether your original test was booked through Medical Express Clinic's own blood tests or elsewhere, but bringing the original report with the reference ranges shown lets your GP interpret it properly in one visit. If you booked one of the popular blood tests at our sister clinic Blood London, bring that report along in the same way; the review itself is the same £150 GP consultation regardless of where the sample was taken.